Paying for a mechanic to check your vehicle can be expensive. But troubleshooting the car yourself can be a hassle, especially if you don't know where to start. The Nissan Xterra can be easy to troubleshoot if you already know what you're looking for. The timing belt is a component in the engine system that helps rotate the camshafts in the overhead cam engine. Without an intact, properly functioning timing belt, your engine will not start.
Maneuver the vehicle to a safe location on level ground. Apply the parking brake. Pop the hood of the vehicle. Locate the battery and disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
Locate the timing belt at the front end of the engine block. You should be able to identify the timing belt as a long rubber band that winds around the engine camshafts.
Remove the timing belt cover carefully. You should be able to remove the timing belt cover using just your hands; however, you may also use a flat-head screwdriver to pry the cover open. Do not damage the cover while you are removing it. Trace the timing belt and look for wires or obstacles that may get in the way of the timing belt. Remove obstacles found that may disrupt the rotation of the timing belt.
Locate the crankshaft timing sensor along the timing belt. The sensor is mounted near the power steering fluid container. Loosen the mounting bolt that is secured to the crankshaft timing sensor and the probe holder. Carefully remove the mounting bolt so you can take out the crankshaft timing sensor and the probe holder. Be ready to catch the sensor and the probe holder as they are released.
Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the adjustment bolt on the belt tensioner pulley. Do not completely remove the tensioner assembly.
Slide the belt off of the crankshaft sprocket. Be careful not to allow the crankshaft pulley to rotate while you are removing the timing belt.
Realign the timing belt with the crankshaft pulley. The timing marks on the timing belt should align with the marks on the camshaft sprocket as well as the cylinder head.
Using the wrench, tighten the adjustment bolt on the belt tensioner once you have properly aligned the timing belt. Reattach the crankshaft timing sensor and the probe holder using the wrench and the mounting bolt.
Reattach the timing belt cover and connect the negative cable to the battery.
